The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-17
ON MONT BLANC.
An Interesting Account of the Three
Days Soiourn of Two French Scien-
fists
From the Washington star.

From the Washington star.
The scientific world will be interested in
the forthcoming facts with regard to his
three days sojourn on the summit of Mont
Blanc, which NJ. Joseph Vallot, will lay be-
fore the French Academy as soon as he has
arranged his documents. Meanwhile the
greater public will read with interest of the
details of the perilouS undertaking of M.
Vallot and NJ F. NJ. Richard, two French
men who have pitched their tents CT the
fearful heights in order to make scientific
experiments NJ. Vallot is one of the best
known members of the French Alpine Club,
whose observations on the Pyrenees glaciers
and on certain Alpine peaks have been of
great value. For the purpose of making
further observations he attempted to erect
three temporary meteoroglcal stations on
Mont Blanc, the first of which was situated
at Chamounix, the second at the Rochers
des Grands MuletS, and the third on the top
of the mountain. M. Richard, who accom-
panied him, is a constructor of scientific in
struments Twenty-fOur guides had been
retained to carry the necessary luggage, of
which no man is to carry more than
twenty pounds Early at O'Clock the ex-
petition started, but owing to difficulties
about the luggage they did not arrive at the
Grand Mulets till 10 O'Clock at night, which,
l.
No special incident marked the first days
Journey, and at II o'clock all lay asleep in
the little hut which serves as a shelter to
mountain-c limbers. At 3 a. m. the caravan
started once more, this time on the most
difficult part of the road. The ascent was
made very gradually and carefully; one
guide became indlsposed, and both M NJ
Vallot and Richard We're suffering from an
attack of mountain sickness. When they
reached the summit at last, at 2:30 p m,
both travellers sat down on the snow, utterly
worn out The guides threw down their
burdens and began to descend at once, and
only two of the number remained with the
scientists. They pitched the tent, lighted the
petroleum lamp, and prepared the dinner,
after which M. Vallot, who had regalned
his strength, went out and placed his appa-
ratus on the plateau in the biting cold. At
4 a. IN. the energetic Frenchlnan was about
again. calling his companions to view the
| sunrise NJ. Richard, however, as well as
the two guides, looked at the magnificent
spectacle with mixed feelings, their state Of
health and comfort beng by no means per-
feet. After all the instruments were placed
and several observations taken, visitor, an
Englishman, appeared on the peak, and
speedily turned back Chamounix-ward.
The second night was passed more comfort
ably in heavy coats, linen masks AMI fur
linen snow-boots, the temperature still re-
manning extremely low. The following day
was spent in experimenting. but so great be-
| came the WEAKNESS and weakness OF the
whole party that they could only swallow a
| few spoonfuls of coffee or soup. AT six next
morning another Englishman arrived with
| letters from ChamouniX. At 2 p. IN. ter
| rible storm broke out over the peak.
| threatening every moment TO carry away
the tent NJ Vallot, ON leaving the tent,
noticed curious phenomenon around him
he was in the midst of electric clouds, and
all his clothes trembled with electricity.
When the third day began to dawn the sky
became clear; the last experiments were
made, and the descent began, proving, after
the storm, which had effaced all traces of a
path, far more formidable than the ascent.
At last, however, at Z p. M, Chamounix
was reached, and the whole population of
the town, headed by the Mare, received
| the successful climbers withsgifts of flow
ers and congratulations at having been
the first to accomplish so dangerous an ex-
| DeditiOn.